Saturday, 21 September 2019

For more than you need to know about Kippers see this:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KipperBritish born as I am I'm a Kipper aficionado. I consider them to be one of the great gourmet foods from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Canadian Maritime Provinces.I ordered some from a Scottish Gourmet Foods outfit in Greensboro', North Carolina. See https://www.scottishgourmetusa.com/index.phpThey arrived all smoked and butterflied looking like this:

I beheaded them, de-tailed them, and de-finned them for my breakfast today. I broiled one half, and ate it for my breakfast with two poached eggs and some good bread.

Oh Joy! Oh Bliss! Oh Gustatory Delight!Even better, I have another half Kipper for Sunday's Breakfast.If any of my American friends are willing to try Kippers I'll order some, on the condition that they are also willing to try and eat Steak and Kidney Pudding.

Thursday, 19 September 2019

Wonderful Scottish Dundee Cake, and Kippers, glorious Kippers. (Not to be eaten together!). Kippers for breakfast or lunch, Dundee Cake for afternoon tea.I'll (somewhat grudgingly) share the kippers with my friends Jack and Donna Chrisman who grew to like them when they lived in the U.K. and in Norway).

Wednesday, 18 September 2019

Oh the adventures I have!As Zion and I left Arlington Park in Sarasota at about 8:00 a.m. this morning we came across a mother and son who were also completing their walk with their dog (maybe a Shih Tzu mix)

The wee dog was a bit shy, but was soon seduced with Zion's charm.But the boy (maybe aged 10 and certainly named Isaac) was utterly entranced with my dear Zion, and paid my dog some gentle physical attention - much to the liking of Z.Isaac asked many questions about Z. I pointed out Zion's double dew claws - perhaps an indication of Zion's Great Pyreneesheritage.It was time for us to go our separate ways : -Isaac to school with his Mum, and I to home.But just before we parted I said "Isaac, there is one more thing I want you to see".I hoisted my walking shorts about two inches and said "Isaac, here is a great pair of knees".This good boy paused for a second, and then he got it!.. He began to laugh, and laugh, and laugh. I had tickled him pink!His Mom looked on with approval. She and I each knew that the name Isaac means "son of laughter", so we delighted in young Isaac's joy.

I have been giggling about this encounter all day. I hope that young Isaac and his Mom have also had their fair share of giggles.

Tuesday, 17 September 2019

The hardback books which I often read are getting longer and heavier, e.g. anything by Ron Chernow or Robert Caro.My arms and hands are slowly losing strength - getting weighed down by heavy reading!Help is at hand. My desktop/tabletop Lectern arrived today.

Oh so good! I take no credit as a cook. I am simply a "food assembler" who follows a fine recipe. These home made crab cakes have a ratio of crab to filler (in this case 5:1), exceeding by far yer average restaurant version.

Sunday, 15 September 2019

I recently read an article which mentioned Dundee Cake.I salivated at the memory of such a rich fruit cake.I want some - or do I? Memory is tricky.

I am not very fond of American made cakes which all too often are very spongy, with a sickly sweet frosting.But I remember my mother's rich fruit cakes, and the store bought Dundee Cake.Here's a bit about the latter:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dundee_cakeDespite all the American Christmas jokes about the fruit cakes which are passed on from generation to generation, I am a fervent fan of fruit cake.I am about to order (on line) a genuinely Scottish make Dundee Cake.I'll let you know if it is as good as my memory tells me.

About Me

I am from a blue collar background in Bristol, England, and was educated in the days of the 11+ system.
I am one of nine children. My eight siblings live in England.
After school I was first a banker; then a seminarian; then an Episcopal Priest.
I trained for ordained ministry at St. John's College, Nottingham, U.K; and the University of Nottingham from which I was graduated with the degree Bachelor in Theology.
I had 30 years of parish ministry in Massachusetts. (Fitchburg, Chicopee, Pittsfield and Cambridge).
Now retired, I live in Sarasota, FL.
My mantra: - "There is no secular world".